Special gift for children with special needs: Mom gives $120,000 from Aptos thrift shop proceeds

APTOS -- When Cece Pinheiro, who runs the Special Parents Information Network, was told her organization would receive a donation from Caroline's Thrift Shop, she was not prepared for the size of the gift: $20,000.

That was twice as much as she received from Caroline's the year before, a amount equivalent to six months of work by the network's two full-time and four part-time employees.

"It's amazing and fabulous," said Pinheiro, who plans to invest part of the money in mentoring for parents of children with Down syndrome, autism or other disabilities.

That's not all.

During a ceremony last week, Caroline's presented checks totaling $120,000 to a dozen nonprofits working with children who have special needs, up from $40,000 granted the previous year.

Children's Hospice and Palliative Coalition, Hospice of Santa Cruz County and Jacob's Heart each received $20,000.

The money was raised during last year's operation of Caroline's, a thrift shop opened in 2011 by Aptos resident Christy Licker in memory of her daughter, a child with special needs who died at age 16.

"No way could I do this by myself," she said, citing help from 28 volunteers.

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The shop, open seven days a week, is stocked entirely with donated merchandise, brands such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Jones New York and Coldwater Creek, glassware, dishes and linens, attractively displayed and affordably priced. Most kids' clothing is $3 each.

"People from all over bring stuff," said Christy's husband Bill. "We get really nice things."

Everyone working at Caroline's is a volunteer. Some come to shop, and when they learn Caroline's story, they volunteer.

Christy Licker recalled a young woman who came in and took notice of four wedding dresses. A graduate student, she had gotten engaged to a fellow student but didn't have means to think about a bridal gown. One gown, retailing at $2,000, was a perfect fit.

Licker told her she could have it for $100, and she put $20 down, promising to return to volunteer and pay the rest on time.

As Licker steamed the dress, a curious shopper asked her about it, then gave her $20 toward the bride's bill.

When the bride-to-be showed up for her shift, she discovered the dress was paid for.

Something about Caroline's inspires generosity.

System Studies, a local company, donated $2,000. Volunteer Cathryn Palmer photographs items for sale and posts them online, which occasionally prompts people to call saying, "Is that still there? Hold it for me."

Licker said she needs more volunteers now that she's expanded into a yellow building with green shutters next door to sell furniture.

The rooms are perfectly composed, with a $80 wicker loveseat, already sold, tassled rust-colored pillows, and lamps with Paris shade, another with kitchen utensils and a "What's Cooking Chocolate' book displayed atop a Wedgewood stove (an antique that unlike everything else commands top dollar).

"We had this beautiful stuff we couldn't show," Licker said, explaining that landlord Ray McCawley offered a deal she couldn't refuse and her brother helped paint for the opening two weeks ago. "We've already paid the rent."